Salomon ADV Skin 12 Review [Ultrarunner Tested]

Best Vest for 100-Mile Races

Overall92

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Salomon ADV Skin 12 Set

Our score9.2/10

• Capacity: 12 L
• Our measured weight: 277 g, dry
• Hydration: 2 x 500 mL soft flasks included; takes a 1.5 L bladder
• Best for: 50-milers, 100-milers and cold-weather kit lists

Bottom Line : The vest we reached for when the kit list was long and the race was longer. Buy it in exactly the right size.

Pros

• No bounce, even fully loaded
• Rear tunnel pocket takes a shell on the move
• Soft, wrap-around Sensifit mesh

Cons

• Phone and full flask crowd one front pocket
• Fussy bladder hook inside the rear sleeve
• Unforgiving if you pick the wrong size
• Zippers need rinsing after salty runs

On the Long Runs

Annie and James reached for the ADV Skin 12 whenever the run was longest and the kit list was fullest. Their 50-mile and 100-mile efforts meant cold-weather layers, a headlamp, an emergency shell, first aid and food, and with all of that on board the Sensifit mesh still held everything still.

The feature they used most was the rear pass-through "tunnel". Reach behind, pull the shell out, and put it back again later without touching the chest straps. On a long day where the weather changes three times, that pocket saves minutes.

Two habits made the flasks work. Full flasks drop straight into the chest sleeves. As they drain, loop the top elastic over the valve or the soft flask sinks to the bottom of the pocket, where it is hard to reach.

Where It Asks Something of You

The front zip pocket is the pinch point. A big phone in there next to a full 500 mL flask pressed into the ribs, so the phone went in the back.

Salt is the long-term enemy. After heavy summer efforts, sweat salt built up in the front zipper tracks, and the zippers start to seize if the vest isn't hand-rinsed.

The plastic hook in the rear hydration sleeve is the one piece of design we would change. Threading a bladder loop onto it under race pressure is fiddly, and it feels fragile. Flask users will barely notice.

Spec Sheet vs Our Test

• Capacity: 12 L, as listed.
• Weight: our test vest weighed 277 g dry. Salomon's Amazon listing for the women's set gives 236 g, so cut and size change the number.
• Hydration: two 500 mL soft flasks included, and it takes a 1.5 L bladder in the rear sleeve.

Should You Buy the Salomon ADV Skin 12?

Yes, if you race ultras, and if you can get the size exactly right. Too small and the binding cuts into your lats under the armpits. Too big and you end up pulling the sternum cords until the front panels meet, which bunches the harness. A women's set is on Amazon here.

Compare With

• Nathan Pinnacle 12L: our best women's fit and easiest access.
• Salomon Active Skin 8: our best value training vest.
• Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest 6.0: our best vest for wet weather.

See all ten in our best hydration vests guide.

Our Testers

This review was edited by Sean Williams and tested by our ultrarunning team.

• Sean Williams, Editor-in-Chief. Sean built the team of researchers and testers behind our reviews and edits every guide. His rule: we say what we actually found.
• Annie Brown, Tester. An ultramarathon runner, Annie tested our vests through 100k and 100-mile race preparation.
• James Brown, Tester. An ultramarathon runner, James ran the same block of self-supported mountain long runs, hot-weather tempo sessions and technical scrambles.